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Air quality and pediatric emergency room visits for asthma in Atlanta, Georgia, USA

P E Tolbert1, J A Mulholland, D L MacIntosh

  • 1Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.

American Journal of Epidemiology
|August 31, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Childhood asthma exacerbations are linked to air pollution. Higher levels of ozone and particulate matter (PM10) significantly increased pediatric emergency room visits for asthma during summer months in Atlanta.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Pediatric asthma is a significant public health concern.
  • Environmental factors, particularly air quality, are suspected triggers for asthma exacerbations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the spatio-temporal relationship between air quality indices and pediatric emergency room visits for asthma.
  • To quantify the association between specific air pollutants and asthma exacerbations in children.

Main Methods:

  • A spatio-temporal analysis of approximately 130,000 emergency visits (6,000 for asthma) in Atlanta, GA (1993-1995).
  • Logistic regression and Bayesian models were used, linking patient residential zip codes to spatially resolved ozone and particulate matter (PM10) levels.
  • Covariates included temporal and demographic factors.

Main Results:

  • A 20 ppb increase in maximum 8-hour ozone was associated with a relative risk of 1.04 (p < 0.05) for asthma visits.
  • A 15 µg/m³ increase in PM10 was associated with a relative risk of 1.04 (p < 0.05).
  • Significant exposure-response trends were observed for both ozone and PM10.

Conclusions:

  • This study provides evidence supporting the link between ambient air pollution and childhood asthma exacerbations.
  • Ozone and PM10 are significant contributors to pediatric asthma emergency room visits.
  • Public health strategies should consider air quality interventions to mitigate childhood asthma.

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